Cancelled: The Left Way Back from Woke

Both the Left and the Right are engaged in a reactionary politics that is self-defeating and divisive. In his book, Umut Özkýrýmlý argues that the Left needs to escape its toxic hatred and outrage-mongering and return to its progressive ideals by focusing on our common humanity and working across differences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2023
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Right now, someone, somewhere is being canceled. Off-the-cuff tweets or harmless office banter have the potential to wreck lives. The Left condemns the Right and the bigotry of the old elites. The Right complains about brain-dead political correctness. In reality, both sides are colluding in a reactionary politics that is as self-defeating as it is divisive. Can the Left escape this extremism and stay true to the progressive ideals it once professed?

In this provocative book, Umut Özkýrýmlý reveals how the Left has been sucked into a spiral of toxic hatred and outrage-mongering, retreating from the democratic ideals of freedom and pluralism that it purports to represent. Exploring the similarities between right-wing populism and radical identity politics, he sets out an alternative vision. It is only by focusing on our common humanity and working across differences that the Left will find a constructive and consensual way back from woke.

The Left has been caught up in a toxic cycle of hatred and outrage, retreating from the democratic values of freedom and pluralism that it claims to uphold. This has led to a reactionary politics that is both self-defeating and divisive. On the one hand, the Left condemns the Right and the bigotry of the old elites, while on the other, the Right complains about brain-dead political correctness. However, the reality is that both sides are colluding in a politics that is as self-defeating as it is divisive.

To escape this extremism and stay true to the progressive ideals it once professed, the Left must focus on our common humanity and work across differences. This means recognizing the valid concerns of the Right and addressing them in a constructive and empathetic way. It also means challenging the toxic identity politics that have taken hold on the Left, which often perpetuates divisions and hatred.

One way to move forward is to prioritize dialogue and understanding. The Left must be willing to listen to the concerns of the Right and engage in respectful conversations without resorting to name-calling or dismissing their views. This requires a willingness to compromise and a recognition that there are often common ground between different political perspectives.

Another way to escape the extremism of the Left is to focus on the issues that matter to ordinary people. This means addressing the economic inequality that has plagued our society for decades, providing access to quality healthcare and education, and protecting the environment. By focusing on these issues, the Left can demonstrate its commitment to the well-being of all people and build a broader base of support.

In conclusion, the Left has the potential to escape the extremism that has plagued it in recent years. By focusing on our common humanity and working across differences, the Left can stay true to its progressive ideals and build a more inclusive and prosperous society. However, this will require a willingness to challenge the toxic politics of the past and a commitment to addressing the issues that matter to ordinary people.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 138 x 217 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509550920